What’SUP?
Standup paddleboarding, or SUP, is a derivative of surfing where you stand on a board that is floating on the water, and use a paddle to propel yourself. It is awesome exercise especially for your abdomen, arms and legs, and strengthens your balance and coordination.
Typically you SUP on calm waters but variations of SUP also ride a light surf, and even include yoga and fishing. In traditional SUP, both the board and paddle are long with the boards 10-12 feet and the paddles extending to six feet or more. Paddles should be 8-15 inches taller than the height of the user.
The board includes a fin on the underside for stability, and an ankle leash (also seen on surfboards) so if you fall in you won’t lose the board. Due to the thickness required of an SUP, solid boards have a foam core that is covered in materials such as wood veneers, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. Inflatable SUPs are also available.
The act of propelling oneself on a floating platform with the help of a paddle or pole traces back thousands of years, but modern standup paddleboarding began in the 1940s in Waikiki. John Ah Choy was a local Hawaiian who surfed, but as he got older and was unable to get up and down from his board, he would stand on his board from the break and paddle out with a canoe paddle to catch waves.
I have two SUPs available for use by cabin guests. If you haven’t tried this fun sport, don’t be shy. On a hot, calm summer day, there’s nothing better. The feeling of moving atop the water, propelled by your own power, is both liberating and refreshing. Just remember the sunscreen and a waterproof pocket for your cell phone 🤳
Photos courtesy Terhi Tuominen, Elaine Sterrett Isely, KLEM Studios.